..  FROM  .. 


Foreign  Mission  Fields. 

COMPILED  BY 

MRS.  O,  W.  SCOTT. 

PRICE,  .  .  FIVE  CEJVT!», 


WOMAN'S  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY, 
METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 

36  BROMFIELD  STREET,  -  -  -  BOSTON,  MASS. 


ITALY. 


\ 


FACTS 


IN 

Questions  and  Answers 


FOR 

MISSION  BANDS  AND  JUNIOR  LEAGUES. 


BY 

MRS.  O.  W.  SCOTT. 


BOSTON,  MASS.: 

WOMAN’S  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY 
METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 

36  Bromfield  Street. 


/. 

THE  COUNTRY. 

II. 

THE  PEOPLE. 

III. 

THE  GOVERNMENT. 

IV. 

EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE. 

V. 

RELIGION. 

VI. 

PROTESTANT  MISSIONS. 


ITALY. 


THE  COUNTRY. 

1.  Q.  Where  is  Italy? 

In  the  south  of  Europe.  It  extends,  in 
a  boot-shaped  peninsula,  into  the  Med¬ 
iterranean  Sea,  being  bounded  on  the 
east  by  the  Adriatic  Sea. 

2.  Q.  What  is  its  area? 

One  hundred  and  fourteen  thousand 
four  hundred  and  fifteen  square  miles. 
The  islands  of  Sicily,  Sardinia  and  Elba 
belong  to  Italy. 

3.  Q.  What  is  its  population? 

In  1897  it  was  31,290,490. 

4.  Q.  What  is  its  capital? 

Rome  is  its  capital  and  chief  city.  It 
has  been  famous  for  many  centuries  and 
possesses  great  historic  interest. 

5.  Q.  Mention  some  outline  facts. 
It  was  founded  by  Romulus  753  B.  C. 

That  section  of  Italy  is  of  volcanic 


4 


origin.  The  “City  of  the  Seven  Hills,” 
the  “Mistress  of  the  World,”  has  for  its 
foundations  enormous  beds  of  lava  pro¬ 
jected  from  the  Alban  Hills  in  bygone 
ages.  It  is  situated  on  the  famous  Tiber, 
a  rapid  muddy  stream  subject  to  mar¬ 
vellous  and  sometimes  destructive 
freshets.  It  contains  a  large  number  of 
churches,  among  them  the  celebrated 
cathedral  of  St.  Peter. 

6.  Q.  Mention  other  principal  cities. 

Florence,  which  was  the  former  capi¬ 
tal  ;  Naples,  the  largest  city,  is  famous 
for  its  beautiful  bay ;  Genoa,  for  being 
the  birthplace  of  Columbus.  Venice  is 
a  city  of  great  attractions,  is  built  upon 
many  small  islands,  and  canals  largely 
take  the  place  of  streets.  The  principal 
commercial  cities  are  Venice,  Leghorn, 
Genoa,  Naples,  Messina  and  Palermo. 

7.  Q.  What  is  the  length  of  Italy’s 
coast  line? 

Adore  than  2,000  miles.  Much  of  this 
is  bold  and  rocky,  while  other  portions 
are  low,  level  and  marshy. 


5 


8.  Q.  What  are  its  mountain 

ranges? 

The  Apennines,  a  broad  mountainous 
belt,  giving  sublime  scenery ;  and  on  the 
north  between  Italy  and  Switzerland  and 
Austria  rise  the  majestic  Alps. 

9.  Q.  Name  its  rivers. 

There  are  but  two  important  ones,  the 
Po  and  the  Adige,  although  the  Arno 
and  the  Tiber  are  better  known.  In  the 
southern  portion  of  Italy  the  rivers 
terminate  in  swamps,  which  are  the 
source  of  disease. 

10.  Q.  What  are  used  in  irrigating 
the  land? 

Canals  were  constructed  in  the  mid¬ 
dle  ages,  which  have  greatly  benefited 
agriculture. 

11.  Q.  Are  there  lakes  in  Italy? 

There  are  numerous  lakes,  most  of 

them  in  the  north,  some  of  which  are 
celebrated  for  their  picturesque  scenery. 
Maggiore  and  Como  are  among  these. 

12.  Q.  Has  this  country  mineral 
wealth  ? 

Its  mineral  wealth  has  been  known 


6 


for  many  ages.  There  are  mines  of 
lead,  silver,  copper,  iron,  bronze,  alum 
and  sulphur.  Ancient  pits  and  ruins  of 
founderies  are  discovered,  showing 
former  mining  industries. 

13.  Q.  Is  the  soil  fertile? 

Every  part  of  the  country  is  capable 
of  great  productiveness.  In  many  places 
the  Apennines  are  cultivated  in  terraces 
almost  to  their  summits.  Abundant 
harvests  are  the  rule,  and  even  the 
marshy  sections  may  be  reclaimed  as 
they  were  formerly  under  cultivation. 

14.  Q.  What  are  the  principal  pro¬ 
ductions? 

There  is  a  variety  of  agricultural  prod¬ 
ucts.  Wheat,  corn,  barley  and  oats,  rye, 
rice  and  all  sorts  of  vegetables  abound. 
Luscious  fruits — oranges,  lemons,  cit¬ 
rons,  figs,  almonds,  dates — are  found  in 
central  and  southern  Italy.  The  olive  is 
indigenous,  and  its  culture  is  a  growing 
industry. 

15.  Q.  What  is  another  industry? 

The  culture  of  grapes  for  the  manu¬ 
facture  of  wine. 


7 


1 6.  Q.  What  is  the  most  important 
product? 

Silk,  which  is  exported  in  large  quan¬ 
tities.  The  mulberry  tree  grows  in  the 
basin  of  the  Po,  and  much  attention  is 
given  the  silkworm. 

17.  Q.  Mention  other  industries. 

The  manufacture  of  straw  goods, 

earthenware,  glass,  artificial  flowers, 
jewelry,  macaroni  and  many  fancy  arti¬ 
cles. 

18.  Q.  What  animals  are  found? 

Not  a  large  variety  of  species,  but 

those  common  to  Europe,  such  as 
horses,  cattle,  sheep,  swine,  goats  and 
mules.  The  sea  furnishes  a  variety  of 
shell  and  other  fish  for  food. 

19.  Q.  What  is  the  climate  of  Italy? 

In  the  north,  cold  weather  is  known  in 

winter,  frosts  beginning  in  November 
and  lasting  until  March  or  April.  The 
centre  of  the  country  rarely  sees  frost, 
and  snow  appears  only  on  the  mountain 
tops.  In  the  south  snow  and  ice  are  un¬ 
known,  save  on  the  top  of  Mount  Etna, 
and  tropical  plants  flourish.  The  skv 


8 


of  deepest  blue  is  celebrated  in  song  and 
story,  and  the  wonderful  atmosphere  at¬ 
tracts  health  seekers. 

20.  Q.  Mention  one  detraction. 

There  are  frequent  earthquakes  and 
volcanic  eruptions  in  southern  Italy  and 
Sicily.  Mount  Vesuvius,  near  Naples, 
and  Etna,  on  the  island  of  Sicily,  are 
well-known  volcanoes. 


THE  PEOPLE. 

21.  Q.  What  does  history  tell  us  of 
the  ancient  dwellers  in  Italy? 

In  the  vicinity  of  Rome  are  indica¬ 
tions  of  a  prehistoric  age,  in  which  sav¬ 
age  nomadic  tribes  wandered  through 
the  dense  forests.  It  is  thought  that  this 
race  made  Saint  Peter’s  hill  a  kind  of 
sacred  spot  a  thousand  years  before 
Saint  Peter  was  born.  Then  came  an 
agricultural  people  called  Latins.  They 
had  a  divinity  called  Saturn,  “the  good 
sower.”  Then  came  Sabines,  Pelasgi- 
ans,  Etruscans ;  but  the  history  of  Rome 
and  that  of  Italy  began  with  the  “Wall 


9 


of  Romulus,”  a  fragment  of  which  still 
remains.  This  wall,  built  bv  Romulus 
and  his  men,  enclosed  about  twenty- 
four  acres,  and  made  possible  the  build¬ 
ing  of  a  city,  conquest  and  dominion. 

22.  Q.  Describe  the  Italiana  of  to¬ 
day. 

The  Italian  of  to-day  is  rather  slender 
than  stout,  but  strong  and  agile.  He 
has  a  dark  complexion,  expressive 
countenance,  sparkling  eyes,  black  hair 
and  a  grave  gait.  Many  of  the  women 
are  fine  looking,  with  beautiful  eyes  and 
features. 

23.  Q.  Are  the  Italians  of  to-day 
like  the  Romans  of  old? 

Many  of  the  characteristics  remain, 
but  circumstances  and  changed  condi¬ 
tion  have  had  a  paralyzing  effect. 

24.  Q.  How  large  a  proportion  is 
of  other  nationalities? 

About  350,000,  composed  of  German, 
French,  Jews,  Greeks,  Albanians,  etc. 

25.  Q.  For  what  are  Italians  noted? 

Their  love  of  music  and  art.  After  the 

age  of  military  greatness  came  that  of 


10 


literature,  art  and  science,  and  even  the 
common  people  did  not  escape  its  im¬ 
press. 

26.  Q.  Describe  the  music  of  the 
people. 

One  peculiarity  is  that,  light 
hearted  as  the  Italians  are,  their  songs 
are  almost  invariably  written  in  a  minor 
key.  But  these  are  sung  by  men, 
women  and  children  with  correctness 
and  spirit.  The  wandering  musicians, 
common  to  the  city  streets,  are  nearly  al¬ 
ways  good  singers.  Even  the  venders 
of  fruit  and  fish,  the  umbrella  mender 
and  the  old  clo’  man  have  musical 
calls  which  produce  a  sort  of  harmony 
peculiar  to  the  country. 

27.  Q.  Are  the  people  industrious? 

The  people  of  northern  Italy  are  ex¬ 
tensively  engaged  in  manufacture.  Agri¬ 
culture,  vine  raising,  wine  making  and 
silk  weaving  employ  many  of  the  inhab¬ 
itants  of  lower  Italy,  while  the  learned 
professions  are  the  same  as  in  our  own 
land.  But  the  nature  of  the  Italian  is 
ease-loving,  and  there  is  a  large  class,  es- 


11 


timated  as  one-fifth  of  the  population, 
who  toil  not  nor  spin.  Many  of  these 
gain  a  livelihood  by  begging. 

28.  Q.  What  is  said  of  the  beggars 
of  Rome? 

There  are  established  beggars,  who 
make  of  their  business  a  kind  of  guild, 
and  frequently  grow  wealthy.  Others 
make  capital  of  some  deformity  or  dis¬ 
ease.  “To  have  no  legs  at  all  is  to  stand 
on  the  best  footing  with  fortune.”  This 
large  percentage  of  mendicants  shows  a 
lack  of  national  pride  and  integrity. 

2Q.  Q.  What  is  said  of  home  life  in 
Italy? 

The  affectionate  nature  of  the  people 
tends  to  make  home  ties  very  strong. 
Children  are  merry  and  happy,  but  as 
they  grow  older  they — especially  the 
girls — feel  the  effects  of  the  lax  system 
of  education  and  morals  which  prevails 
in  all  Italian  cities. 

30.  Q.  How  does  this  influence 
them? 

The  Italian  girl  has  but  one  ambition, 
— to  marry  a  rich  man  who  can  give  her 


12 


ease  and  luxury.  Money  is  the  one  mark 
of  aristocracy.  This  is  not  because  her 
nature  is  sordid,  but  is  the  result  of  de¬ 
fective  training. 


THE  GOVERNMENT. 

31.  Q.  What  is  the  government  of 
Italy? 

Italy  was  constituted  a  kingdom  in 
1861.  King  Humbert  I,  born  in  1844, 
the  eldest  son  of  Victor  Emmanuel,  came 
to  the  throne  January  9,  1878. 

32.  Q.  Has  the  king  absolute  con¬ 
trol  ? 

The  executive  power  is  vested  in  him 
and  is  exercised  through  responsible 
ministers.  There  are  two  Houses  of 
Legislature.  The  Senate  is  nominated 
by  the  king.  The  deputies  are  elected 
by  ballot. 

33.  Q.  Is  the  government  firmly  es¬ 
tablished? 

The  political  life  of  Italy  is  like  a 
troubled  sea  which  cannot  rest.  Citi- 


13 


zens  over  25,  with  certain  qualifications, 
may  vote  in  a  parliamentary  election,  but 
out  of  8,000,000  voters  but  3,000,- 
000  take  the  trouble  to  do  so.  Among 
the  people  there  is  great  discontent  be¬ 
cause  of  poverty  and  excessive  taxation, 
the  latter  being  due  to  immense  sums 
spent  on  the  army  and  navy. 

34.  Q.  Has  the  present  government 
introduced  reforms  and  improvements? 

Previous  to  i860  Italy  was  divided 
into  a  large  number  of  petty  states,  and 
it  was  not  until  1876  that  it  was  fully 
united.  We  may  say,  then,  that  all  im¬ 
provements  have  taken  place  during  the 
past  thirty  years.  “The  cleansing  of 
Rome”  has  done  away  largely  with  the 
terrible  “Roman  fever.”  The  Tiber  is 
dredged ;  omnibuses  and  trains  are  seen 
everywhere ;  iron  bridges  span  the  river ; 
telegraphs,  telephones,  electric  lights, 
etc.,  are  common,  and  a  system  of 
schools  has  been  established  by  the  gov¬ 
ernment. 


14 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE. 

35.  Q.  Is  Italy  known  as  a  land  of 
education? 

She  was  long  the  foremost  nation  of 
Europe  in  literature,  art  and  education, 
and  has  given  birth  to  some  of  the  great¬ 
est  men  of  modern  times. 

36.  Q.  What  is  said  of  her  libraries? 

The  principal  public  libraries  are  the 
Vatican  and  Minerva  at  Rome,  and  one 
at  least  in  the  cities  of  Naples,  Venice, 
Milan,  Turin,  Florence,  Parma,  etc.  In 
some  of  these  are  immense  literary  treas¬ 
ures. 

37.  Q.  Name  some  other  attrac¬ 
tions. 

There  are  museums,  cabinets  of  art 
and  wonderful  picture  galleries,  making 
Italy  the  Mecca  of  artists.  Literary  and 
scientific  societies  have  existed  ever 
since  the  fourteenth  century.  Observa¬ 
tories  are  found  in  the  principal  cities. 

38.  Q.  Is  the  language  of  all  Italy 
the  same? 

Only  the  written  language.  Among 


15 


the  common  people  are  various  dialects 
almost  as  unlike  as  different  tongues. 
It  is  in  Tuscany  that  the  Italian  lan¬ 
guage  is  spoken  in  its  purity. 

39.  Q.  What  educational  privileges 
are  found? 

The  universities  of  Italy  once  had  a 
world-wide  reputation  such  as  a  few  in 
Germany  now  enjoy.  There  are  a  large 
number  of  these,  one  at  least  in  each  of 
seventeen  principal  cities.  Beside  these 
there  are  other  schools  of  high  grade, 
while  elementary  education  is  com¬ 
pulsory. 

40.  Q.  Is  this  new  law  effective? 

The  latest  report  says  that  only  25  per 

cent  of  children  between  six  and  twelve 
attend  school.  In  every  100  marriages 
37  bridegrooms  and  52  brides  cannot 
write.  Among  the  young  men  drawn 
for  the  army  and  navy  a  large  percentage 
can  neither  read  nor  write. 

41.  Q.  Is  this  fact  receiving  atten¬ 
tion  ? 

It  is.  All  departments  of  the  govern¬ 
ment  from  the  king  down  see  the  neces- 


16 


sity  of  a  more  practical  and  widespread 
education.  One  deputy  has  dared  to  say 
that  the  remedy  for  ignorance  and  im¬ 
morality  will  be  found  only  in  schools 
where  an  education  may  be  acquired 
“founded  on  the  Bible.” 

42.  Q.  Where  is  there  a  special 
lack  in  practical  instruction? 

In  schools  for  girls.  There  has  been  a 
sentiment,  so  common  in  both  papal  and 
heathen  countries,  that  girls  needed  little 
learning.  Their  great  charm  in  Italy 
has  been  to  know  little  and  to  think  less. 
But  the  queen  and  noble  ladies  are  striv¬ 
ing  to  better  these  conditions. 

43-  Q-  What  is  one  peculiar  hin¬ 
drance? 

The  fact  that  .men  in  trade  or  earning 
six  or  eight  pounds  per  month  would 
feel  degraded  if  their  daughters  or  sisters 
were  educated  to  think  or  act  for  them¬ 
selves,  or  to  do  anything  toward  self- 
support. 

44.  Q.  Mention  another  hindrance. 

It  is  stated  in  a  late  report  on  female 
education  that  much  harm  springs  from 


17 


the  influence  of  nuns,  which  is  felt  even 
in  government  schools. 


RELIGION. 

45.  Q.  What  is  the  religion  of 
Italv? 

The  Roman  Catholic  faith  is  nominal¬ 
ly  the  state  religion,  but  since  the  estab¬ 
lishment  of  the  kingdom  the  temporal 
power  of  the  Pope  has  been  greatly  di¬ 
minished. 

46.  Q.  What  condition  prevailed  be¬ 
fore  that? 

The  Pope  claimed  unlimited  power 
both  in  temporal  and  spiritual  matters. 

47.  Q.  Who  is  the  Pope? 

He  is  the  head  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church  in  all  the  world.  The  present 
Pope  is  Leo  XIII.  He  was  born 
March  2,  1810,  and  elected  Pope  Febru¬ 
ary,  20,  1878.  His  home  is  in  the  Vati¬ 
can.  He  is  regarded  as  the  regular  suc¬ 
cessor  of  St.  Peter. 

48.  Q.  What  is  the  Vatican? 


18 


It  is  the  papal  palace  at  Rome,  one  of 
the  most  magnificent  in  the  world.  It 
is  attached  to  St.  Peters  Church  and 
contains  rare  statuary,  a  large  museum, 
a  picture  gallery  filled  with  paintings  by 
the  old  masters,  and  a  library  in  which 
is  the  most  valuable  manuscript  collec¬ 
tion  in  the  world.  There  are  in  the  pal¬ 
ace  4,422  rooms. 

49.  Q.  What  has  been  the  spirit  of 
the  Roman  Catholic  Church  toward 
Protestant  missions  in  Italy? 

Previous  to  1870  it  meant  imprison¬ 
ment  to  preach  the  Gospel  in  Rome,  and 
death  if  persisted  in.  The  Bible  was  not 
circulated  among  the  people  until  that 
date.  On  entering  Italy  tourists  were 
compelled  to  have  their  trunks  searched 
for  contraband  Bibles. 

50.  0.  What  has  been  the  result  of 
such  religious  training? 

As  in  other  purely  Catholic  countries, 
while  churches  were  numerous  and 
splendid,  and  the  power  and  wealth  of 
the  few  unlimited,  the  masses  of  the  peo¬ 
ple  were  ignorant  and  poor. 


19 


51.  Q.  What  are  they  taught  to 
worship? 

The  object  of  special  adoration  is  the 
Virgin  Mary,  while  saints  in  large  num¬ 
bers  are  supposed  to  intercede  for  the 
faithful.  There  are  holy  shrines  and  pic¬ 
tures  and  images  innumerable  in  the 
churches.  Among  the  last  is  “the  most 
holy  Bambino,"  which  is  kept  in  one  of 
the  churches,  and  copies  of  which  are 
found  in  many  others.  Bambino  means 
baby,  and  this  is  an  image  of  the  baby 
Jesus,  which  they  believe  was  carved  from 
a  piece  of  the  true  cross.  This  modern 
doll  is  covered  with  precious  gems,  and 
its  stiff  little  fingers  are  hidden  by  costly 
rings.  Its  head  wears  a  massive  crown 
covered  with  jewels.  The  poor  people 
believe  that  the  sight  or  touch  of  this 
image  will  cure  their  sick  children,  and 
it  is  sometimes  called  “The  Little  Doc¬ 
tor.”  During  the  season  devoted  to 
Christmas  festivities  this  doll  is  displayed 
ten  days  in  a  manger,  and  there  are  cere¬ 
monies  of  great  magnificence  in  all  the 
churches.  This  is  only  one  instance 


20 


showing  how  the  people  of  Italy  are  kept 
from  Jesus. 

5 2.  Q.  Are  these  images  still  wor¬ 
shipped? 

Yes;  there  is  no  change  noticeable  in 
the  churches. 

53-  Q •  What  improvement  did 
come  when  church  and  state  were  di¬ 
vided? 

The  government  began  at  once  to  es¬ 
tablish  public  schools  all  over  the  land, 
and  further  persecution  of  Protestants 
was  forbidden.  The  Bible  was  issued  by 
their  own  publishers,  and  thousands  of 
copies  were  circulated  in  a  short  time 
after  the  Pope’s  temporal  power  was  di¬ 
minished. 


PROTESTANT  MISSIONS. 

54.  Q.  What  churches  have  estab¬ 
lished  missions  in  Italy? 

The  Waldensians,  faithful  through 
long  persecution,  stand  first  in  numbers, 
having  5,596  members.  The  Italian 
Evangelical  Church  has  1,765,  the 


Methodist  Episcopal  2,326,  the  Wesley¬ 
an  Methodist  1,505,  the  Baptist  790. 
There  are  other  evangelistic  agencies  at 
work,  both  native  and  foreign. 

55-  Q-  When  did  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  denomination  begin  its  work? 

In  1871  under  Dr.  Leroy  Vernon. 

56.  Q.  How  has  it  prospered? 

It  was  organized  into  a  conference  in 
1881.  It  includes  Italy  and  also  has  ap¬ 
pointments  in  Switzerland  and  Austria. 
There  are  in  the  conference  three  Amer¬ 
ican  missionaries,  25  native  preachers,  21 
local  preachers,  2,326  members,  1,098 
children  in  Sunday-school.  In  Rome  is 
a  boys’  school,  young  ladies’  and  girls’ 
schools,  industrial  and  theological 
schools. 

57.  Q.  Is  there  steady  progress? 

The  presiding  elder  of  Rome  district 

writes:  “There  are  many  more  who 
would  come  to  our  services  were  it  not 
for  continual  persecution,  the  loss  both 
of  work  and  bread,  and  the  many  influ¬ 
ences  which  corrupt  Italian  society  to¬ 
day.”  Under  these  circumstances  a  gain 
of  331  members  is  given  for  1898. 


22 


58.  Q.  What  effect  have  Protestant 
missions  had  upon  the  Catholic  Church 
in  Italy? 

A  note  of  warning  has  been  sounded 
through  their  papers,  beginning,  “The 
second  decade  of  the  twentieth  century 
will  see  a  Protestant  population  of 
Romans.”  The  priests  have  also  set  on 
foot  efforts  to  reach  the  classes  who  are 
being  brought  into  Protestant  missions. 

59.  Q.  What  gives  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  an  advantage  in 
Rome? 

A  very  fine  location  and  building  in 
which  are  a  preparatory  school,  theolog¬ 
ical  seminary,  and  two  chapels,  one  for 
Italian,  the  other  for  English  service. 
It  is  in  the  centre  of  the  city,  quite  near 
the  government  buildings  and  the  Vati¬ 
can. 

60.  Q.  What  work  has  the  Woman’s 
Foreign  Missionary  Society  connected 
with  the  above  church  done  in  Italy? 

Its  first  work  was  begun  in  1877  by 
employing  three  Bible  women  under 
charge  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Vernon.  In  1887 
as  many  as  thirteen  Bible  women  were 


23 


at  work  among — usually — the  poor 
families.  Much  good  was  done  by  these 
faithful  women. 

61.  Q.  What  step  of  progress  was 
taken  in  1885? 

The  first  missionary  of  the  society, 
Miss  Emma  Hall,  was  sent  to  Rome. 
After  careful  preparatory  work  a  home 
and  orphanage  were  established,  in  1888. 
Among  the  many  pupils  has  been  a 
granddaughter  of  Garibaldi.  In  1893  a 
desirable  property  for  a  girls’  home 
school  was  secured,  and  in  May,  1894,  it 
was  dedicated.  This  house  was  first 
built  for  a  nunnery,  or  nun’s  school,  and 
is  at  the  west  end  of  the  city.  It  has  a 
large  garden  abounding  in  a  variety  of 
fruit. 

62.  Q.  How  many  departments  of 
work  are  being  carried  on  ? 

The  Isabella  Clark  Creche  is  estab¬ 
lished  for  the  reception  and  care  of  chil¬ 
dren  from  two  to  seven  years  of  age. 
The  rooms  are  open  from  7  A.  M.  to  7 
P.  M.  This  has  been  a  success  from  the 
beginning.  Next  comes  the  kinder¬ 
garten,  then  the  Sunday-school  with 


24 


more  than  50  children  every  Sunday 
afternoon.  The  girls’  school  teaches  not 
only  the  usual  studies  but  dressmaking, 
embroidery,  machine  sewing,  etc.  These 
girls  sustain  an  Epworth  League.  The 
school  for  the  higher  education  of  girls 
is  also  well  patronized,  and  its  success  is 
well  assured.  The  Bible  is  read  and 
taught  in  these  schools,  and  the  teachers 
say,  “Our  aim  is  not  to  force,  but  to  win 
them  to  Christ.”  Miss  Hall  and  three 
missionary  teachers  are  the  care  takers  in 
this  great  enterprise. 

63.  Q.  What  is  the  outlook  for 
Protestantism  in  Italy? 

Bishop  Goodsell  sums  up  the  many 
difficulties  and  slow  progress,  making  a 
not  altogether  hopeful  picture,  but  gives 
the  following  wise  and  true  statement: 
“Religion  has  been  so  long  an  avoidance 
of  penalty  rather  than  a  love  of  good  that 
the  truth  can  hardly  reach  the  adult,  and 
has  a  future  only  when  buried  in  the 
heart  of  a  child.”  So  in  Italy,  as  every¬ 
where,  our  Lord  comes  to  his  own  “as 
a  little  child.” 


Flag  Series. 


Facts  from  Foreign  Fields* 

No.  China. 

No.  2.  India. 

No.  3.  Japan. 

No.  4.  Africa. 

No.  5.  Korea  and  Tibet. 

No.  6.  South  America. 

No.  7.  Mexico. 

No.  8.  Italy. 

By  Mrs .  0,  W,  Scott, 

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